A Survey of Church History

The twentieth century was a remarkable century, encompassing the best and the worst of human history. In this lesson, Dr. Godfrey introduces some of its major events and the way the church adapted to its problems and opportunities.

It was an age in which empires rose and fell and in which the reach of the gospel spread. In this lesson, Dr. Godfrey examines a century of great missionary endeavor and those who made it possible.

Protestants throughout the nineteenth century stood united as evangelicals, but as this term began to lose meaning, a replacement term was needed. In this lesson, Dr. Godfrey examines the shift in American evangelicalism and the battle between modernists and fundamentalists.

God has used men to passionately defend the historic Christian faith throughout the history of the church. In this lesson, Dr. Godfrey introduces J. Gresham Machen, a man used by God to fight the tides of twentieth-century liberalism.

The controversy involving J. Gresham Machen in the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America is only an example of the growing tensions and rapid changes that roiled churches across the country. In this lesson, Dr. Godfrey discusses the struggles within American churches and the beginnings of Pentecostalism.

Aimee Semple McPherson was the most famous woman in America during the 1920s. In this lesson, Dr. Godfrey discusses the life, ministry, and complexity of Aimee Semple McPherson as a prototypical example of Pentecostalism.

Despite its humble beginnings, Pentecostalism has a wide and growing influence in the world. In this lesson, Dr. Godfrey systematically examines and responds to the theology and appeal of Pentecostalism.

Fundamentalism began to take on negative connotations after the early twentieth century. In this lesson, Dr. Godfrey introduces the efforts of American Protestants to change popular perception by identifying once again as evangelicals.

The Roman Catholic Church underwent many changes throughout the latter half of the twentieth century. In this lesson, Dr. Godfrey seeks to answer the question of whether these changes were substantive or merely cosmetic.

We live in an age that is marked by the revitalization of Islam, and as in all ages, the church must triumph. In this lesson, Dr. Godfrey sketches the development of Islam, explaining its view of Christianity and providing its gospel remedy.

Evangelicalism is commonly used as a synonym for conservative Protestantism, but evangelicalism is its own brand of Protestant Christianity. In this lesson, Dr. Godfrey examines the characteristics of evangelicalism and its dangers.

The modern-day church needs exactly what it has always needed: the Word of God preached faithfully. In this lesson, Dr. Godfrey situates the church in the twenty-first century, highlighting the essentials of Reformed Christianity as its only means of survival.